Inevitably as one year ends and the next begins, we look back on the year that has passed and reflect on what we would like to do differently in the upcoming year. I did more reading towards the end of 2015 and I found that brought me a lot of satisfaction. For 2016, I want to read even more and also focus on increasing my exposure to the arts in general - more plays, museum visits and performances.
Fortunately my family and I already have plans to see an incredible show in 2016. I'm beyond excited about this one! From January 7th to 10th, TORUK - The First Flight, a live experience by Cirque du Soleil, runs at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. Inspired by James Cameron's AVATAR, this breathtaking show envisions a world set thousands of years before the events depicted in the film.
Laura Silverman, spokesperson for Cirque du Soleil, was kind enough to answer some questions about the production for Woman in Real Life readers.
Laura Silverman, spokesperson for Cirque du Soleil, was kind enough to answer some questions about the production for Woman in Real Life readers.
How many performers are in the show?
There are 35 artists in the show, which includes an actor, vocalist, puppeteers, percussionist, kite specialist and acrobats. At times it seems as though there are many more artists, but each person is a part of 2 to 3 different clans, creating the illusion of a huge cast.
How many others work behind the scenes? What types of roles are represented?
There are about another 70 people who work behind the scenes. They include a wardrobe team, stage managers, physiotherapists, technicians (sound, video, lighting, rigging, automation, props, carpentry), catering team, logistics and human resources, merch supervisor, accountant, publicist, basically everything you would need to run a small village.
How long do the performers work to prepare for a show of this size/complexity?
In most shows the creation time with artists is about 6 months; however, for TORUK it was only about a 4-month period from the arrival of the artists to the first show. Once the show is on the road, they have trainings and rehearsals surrounding the performances in the city.
What will Cirque fans find new and different about TORUK?
Quite a bit! This is the first time Cirque du Soleil is using an English (or French depending on location) speaking narrator to tell the story. TORUK is extremely story driven. Where in other Cirque shows the acrobatics are the focus and the story is more abstract to support the acrobatics, here we have the opposite. The narrative is the center and the acrobatic (and other elements) are used to move the story along. Beyond that, 40 video projectors are used to bring Pandora to life and it is unlike any other live show I have seen before!
What kind of challenges did the costume designers/puppet designer face?
For the costumes, there is always the challenge of creating costumes that acrobats can adequately perform in. Na’vi have tails and long hair on their head, so both these elements needed to be taken into consideration. When the artists arrived in Montreal to begin the creation process the first thing they were given was their Na’vi tail. They wore it every day in an effort to learn what it was like to really have it as an extension of their body.
For the puppet designer, he was challenged with bringing all of the creatures of Pandora to life. Some of which people have seen before from AVATAR (i.e. Direhorses, Viperwolves, Toruk) and others that are brand new. This is the first time Cirque du Soleil has hired puppeteers to work with such large scale puppets and it adds an extraordinary element to the show!
For the puppet designer, he was challenged with bringing all of the creatures of Pandora to life. Some of which people have seen before from AVATAR (i.e. Direhorses, Viperwolves, Toruk) and others that are brand new. This is the first time Cirque du Soleil has hired puppeteers to work with such large scale puppets and it adds an extraordinary element to the show!
How much time does it take to put makeup on a single performer/actor?
It varies for each artist, but on average it takes 1.5 to 2 hours to put on their makeup. Each artist does their own makeup and was trained on how to do this by Cirque du Soleil makeup specialists.
Have a little peek at the excitement surrounding the Montreal opening of TORUK, with movie director James Cameron, in the video above.
Would you like to see more theatre in 2016? Who would you take to see TORUK - The First Flight? You can buy tickets online now or enter to win 4 tickets for Opening Night at Toronto's Air Canada Centre below.
Enter to Win 4 Tickets to the Opening Night Performance of TORUK ($400 Value)!
Enter using the rafflecopter below to win 4 tickets to the Thursday, January 7 (7:30 p.m.) Opening Night performance of Cirque du Soleil's TORUK - The First Flight. Giveaway closes at midnight on January 3rd.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
amazing contest, would love to take my family to see this!
ReplyDeleteI've heard so many great things about this show that I would love to experience it for myself.
ReplyDeleteCirque du Soleil shows are the best!
ReplyDeleteWould love to win because it would make for the perfect date night!
ReplyDeleteI agree!!!
DeleteI have never seen a cirque du soleil. its on my bucket list
ReplyDeleteI would love to take the family to see a Cirque du Soleils performance and plus I know they will enjoy it because their shows are so awesome
ReplyDeleteI would love to win because I have always wanted to see a Cirque show live! Looks amazing!
ReplyDeletei want to win so i can see a bit of magic
ReplyDeleteI have never been to a show like this before, and I would love to take my family.
ReplyDeleteI would love to take my mom to see it!
ReplyDeleteCirque du Soleil shows are always such an electrifying experience that of course I want to have a chance to catch Toruk as well!
ReplyDeleteI've never been to a Cirque show. We almost went to a show in Vegas 2 years ago but missed out on tickets. Would love to share this experience with my mom and cousins. Girls night out
ReplyDeletefabulous opportunity! thank you!
ReplyDeleteI would LOVE to win these tickets because I really want to take my 3 boys and just can't afford the tickets right now! We love these events as a family!!
ReplyDeleteangelapsept@hotmail.com
Love to win, never been to a show before, looks very unique and amazing
ReplyDeleteMy son would love this😁
ReplyDeleteAvatar is my favorite movie!
ReplyDeleteThis would be such an amazing show to see.
ReplyDeleteMy family and I have seen so many Cirque du soleil and we are in awe each time. Dreaming about seeing this one as well.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Cirque du Soleil and try to see as many as I can.
ReplyDeletewould be my first cirque show
ReplyDeletehave always wanted to see a cirque show, would be awesome
ReplyDeleteThank you for the chance to win tickets to Toruk. I've been lucky enough to go to a few Cirque du Soleil shows. I loved the film Avatar so watching Toruk would be perfect.
ReplyDeletesaw on my first cirque show in vegas last year, now I want to go again and again
ReplyDeleteI want to win because I love Cirque shows
ReplyDeleteI would love to take my children to this production and enrich them.
ReplyDeleteI so agree with you! I want to expose my kids to more of the arts!
DeleteI would love to win because I saw Cirque Kurious and it was fantastic. I am so impressed with their shows
ReplyDeleteshaneps@hotmail.com
i've never been able to make a cirque du soleil performance and this is would be my first cirque show
ReplyDeleteI think it would be a great night out.
ReplyDeleteMy parents always wnated to go. I would love to surprise them with the win!
ReplyDeleteAww, that's so sweet!
DeleteThank you! =)
DeleteI have been to the show before and have raved to my parents about it. They have wanted to go ever since.
We love the Cirque Shows. Always jaw dropping and beautiful Thank you for the giveaway! Would make a great date night :)
ReplyDeleteCrossing my fingers and toes. Would surprise my Mom with these as she's had a sad year in 2015... Tickets to this show will definitely help her get her mind off things and go on a much deserved date night with Dad... Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteAwww...my best to your mom!
DeleteI've been waiting for this!!! Was so excited when I heard Cirque was doing a production based on Avatar! I loved the movie and I love Cirque du Soleil! Would love tickets see Toruk!! Thanks for the contest!!
ReplyDeleteThe combination of two great Canadian geniuses is sure-fire hit! James Cameron and Cirque de Soleil are a match made in heaven and I can't wait to see the world they've created together!
ReplyDeleteI haven't been to a Cirque show before and have heard only rave reviews. I would love to experience it first hand.
ReplyDeleteI would love to win these tickets because I have the greatest of respect for any company that can entertain an audience in a circus like atmosphere without using animals. I love everything Cirque stands for! The talent and creativity of Cirque, costumes, music, visual effects is something I would love to experience with friends. Thanks so much for the opportunity to win.
ReplyDeleteI'm so in agreement! I love that they don't use animals!
DeleteI loved Avatar and think this would be a great interpretation by Cirque.
ReplyDeleteI want to win to take my nieces to their first Cirque show!
ReplyDelete